Resume Summary vs. Objective: Which Should You Use?
Introduction:
When it comes to writing your resume, there are two important sections that you need to pay close attention to: your resume summary and your resume objective. These two sections are often confused with each other, but they actually serve different purposes. Your resume summary is a brief overview of your skills and experience, while your resume objective is a statement of your career goals.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at resume summaries and objectives, and we’ll discuss which one you should use on your resume. We’ll also provide some tips on how to write each section effectively.
The Quick and Dirty Answer
The quick and dirty answer is that you should use a resume summary if you have a lot of experience and you’re looking for a senior-level position. You should use a resume objective if you’re a recent graduate or if you’re looking for your first job.
Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. If you have a lot of experience but you’re looking for a job that’s a little bit different from your previous roles, you might want to use a resume objective to highlight your skills and experience in a way that’s relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Similarly, if you’re a recent graduate or if you’re looking for your first job, you might want to use a resume summary to highlight your skills and experience in a way that makes you stand out from other candidates.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to use a resume summary or objective is up to you. But, by understanding the difference between the two sections, you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.
The Resume Summary
A resume summary is a brief overview of your skills and experience, typically no more than two or three sentences. It’s a chance for you to highlight your most relevant skills and experience, and to show potential employers why you’re a good fit for the job you’re applying for.
When writing your resume summary, it’s important to be concise and to focus on the most relevant information. You should also use keywords that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Here is an example of a resume summary for a software engineer:
Software Engineer with 10+ years of experience in the development of complex software applications. Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team. Strong skills in programming, debugging, and testing.
This resume summary is concise, focused, and uses keywords that are relevant to the job of software engineer. It highlights the candidate’s skills and experience, and it shows that the candidate is a good fit for the job.
The Resume Objective
A resume objective is a statement of your career goals. It’s a chance for you to tell potential employers what you’re looking for in your next job.
When writing your resume objective, it’s important to be specific and to focus on the job you’re applying for. You should also use keywords that are relevant to the job.
Here is an example of a resume objective for a software engineer:
To obtain a position as a software engineer where I can use my skills and experience to develop innovative software applications.
This resume objective is specific, focused, and uses keywords that are relevant to the job of software engineer. It shows that the candidate is looking for a job as a software engineer, and it highlights the candidate’s skills and experience.
When to Use a Resume Summary
You should use a resume summary if you have a lot of experience and you’re looking for a senior-level position. A resume summary can help you to highlight your skills and experience, and to show potential employers why you’re a good fit for the job.
Here are some examples of when you might want to use a resume summary:
- You have 10+ years of experience in your field.
- You’re looking for a senior-level position.
- You’re changing careers and you want to highlight your transferable skills.
When to Use a Resume Objective
You should use a resume objective if you’re a recent graduate or if you’re looking for your first job. A resume objective can help you to show potential employers what you’re looking for in your next job.
Here are some examples of when you might want to use a resume objective:
Indeed Editorial Team Updated July 5 2023 A resume39s summary and objective sections are both introductions that aim to immediately grab the employer39s attention Regardless of the job you39re applying for a wellwritten resume introduction can have a direct impact on your resume39s effectivenessA resume objective uses passive voice whereas resume summaries use active voice and action words Increased sales goals Active voice makes a job seeker sound more confident crediting their own hard work for positive outcomes Passive voice sounds weak and lacking in confidence MetricsA resume objective is best used by jobseekers looking to change careers by students or recent graduates and by those looking to move up the ladder and take on a different role Its more typically used when writing a
student resume or an entrylevel resumeThe primary difference between a summary and an objective is the focus of the text A resume summary is suitable if you have several years of experience and want to summarize your most impressive or relevant career achievementsUpdated July 5 2023 While researching resume writing you may have read about the benefits of including a resume profile or objective Both of these additions to your resume are optional Their purpose is to summarize your qualifications to give potential employers a quick overview of your skillsetOctober 28 2019 Quick Navigation What is a generic resume objective Common resume objectives What is a resume summary Common resume summaries How to decide between a resume objective and a summary for your resume Writing a strong objective
or summary is a key factor in the success of your resumeAn objective statement is one or two sentences near the top of your resume that introduces your goals to the employer With this statement you identify the reasons you are applying for this job and the skills that make you suitable for it Usually you add an objective statement right after your name and contact informationUpdated July 10 2023 A resume summary statement is a two to threesentence professional introduction that you can add at the top of your resume to highlight your most valuable skills and experiences The resume summary can help employers quickly learn whether you have the skills and background they require
- You’re a recent graduate.
- You’re looking for your first job.
- You’re changing careers and you want to highlight your career goals.
Conclusion:
The resume summary and resume objective are two important sections of your resume